WEEKLY INFORMATION FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
Volume 7 Issue 11. Paragraphs 175 - 185 22 March 2002
SUMMARY
GENERAL
175 Retirement of General Treasurer
176 CWU Focus Fund
(Formerly CWU Blind Babies Fund)
POSTAL
177 Royal Mail Service
Delivery - Pricing Strategy
178 Royal Mail Service
Delivery - New Routing System
179 Royal Mail Service
Delivery - Bank Holiday Payroll
180 Packages & Express
Easter Operational Arrangements
181 Royal Mail: Pouch Services
TELECOMS
182 Concert Update
183 e-peopleserve Pay Review
184 Core Network FVR
HEALTH & SAFETY
185 Inquest into the Death
of CWU Member and BT Engineer Tara Whelans.
LETTERS TO BRANCHES
LTB/127 National Briefing: RMSD/Delivery Specification (John
Keggie DGS{P})
LTB/128 RMSD Pay (John Keggie DGS{P})
LTB/129 Concert: Grading Review (Billy McClory)
LTB/130 TUC Report 2001 (Roger Darlington)
LTB/131 Postcomm. Consultation Period (Billy Hayes, G.S.)
LTB/132 National Briefing: RMSD/Delivery Specification (John Keggie,
LTB/133 Transfers of Business and Members' Contracts (Jim Moher)
LTB/134 CM Pay Review: 1.10.2001 (Andy Furey)
LTB/135 Consultation Ballot & Address Interpretation
Agreement (Martin Collins)
LTB/136 Change of Fax Number (Jim Moher)
LTB/137 BT Mailrooms Tendering Exercise (Simon Sapper)
LTB/138 RMSD Pay Negotiations (John Keggie, DGS{P})
LTB/139 Agreement on Easter/Good Friday (Dave Ward, Outdoor Dept.)
LTB/140 CWU Relationship with Monteray (Simon Sapper)
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GENERAL
175 Retirement of General Treasurer
Please note that David Norman, General Treasurer retires from the
service of the Union on 28 March 2002. All further communications
relating to any National or Branch financial matters should be
directed to Tony Kearns, Senior Deputy General Secretary.
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176 CWU Focus Fund (Formerly CWU Blind Babies Fund)
At the Induction Schools held at the Elstead Hotel, CWU Education
Centre, during the week commencing 25 February to 1 March 2002, a
collection of £161.00 was made for the CWU Focus Fund. Many
thanks to everybody who contributed so generously to this worthwhile cause.
Any enquiries on the above paragraph should be addressed to Miss
Sally Bridge, Assistant Secretary, quoting Reference No.1.6.
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POSTAL
177 Royal Mail Service Delivery - Pricing Strategy
The Union has been given a presentation on the business's pricing strategy
It would seem that the business is giving serious consideration to
moving from a tariff exclusively based on weight to one based
primarily on size with weight being an associated factor.
They believe that the current tariff structure:
Disproportionately disadvantages customers posting higher weight items
They have explained that by demonstrating that the proposed tariff
would be more reflective of prices versus costs, they are reasonably
confident that they will win support of the regulator. The Union will
be seeking a dialogue on the implications of this proposal and
developments will be reported.
Any enquiries to Dave Ward's Department, quoting reference 530 or
Martin Collins' Department, reference L840.01.
178 Royal Mail Service Delivery - New Routing System
A presentation has been given to the Union of a proposed new Routing
System for vehicles which would replace TRANDOS.
It is based around the Geo-Route System which is an integral part of
the Pegasus Project for optimising delivery walks and which is
currently operational in a number of areas.
Prior to the Union's involvement, the business purchased a licence
from the company holding the right to the system to trial it in East
London. The Union has made it clear that we should have been
consulted prior to this decision, however, provided arrangements
could be agreed with our members concerned we would co-operate with
the trial. This position was endorsed by the March meeting of the
Postal Executive Committee.
Slides from the presentation are attached to this briefing and are
subject to discussion with the East London branch.
Any enquiries to Dave Ward's Department, quoting reference 532.
Att: PE20
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179 Royal Mail Service Delivery - Bank Holiday Payroll
A letter has been received from management concerning the payroll
arrangements during the forthcoming bank holidays.
This is published as an attachment to this briefing.
Any enquiries to Dave Ward's Department, quoting reference 445.05 or
Martin Collins' Department, reference L645.03.
Att: PE19
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180 Packages & Express Easter Operational Arrangements
Please find as an attachment the agreed Easter arrangements for
Packages & Express for Easter 2002.
Any enquiries regarding this particular paragraph should be addressed
to Terry Pullinger, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference P.BH.1.
Att: PE.18
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181 Royal Mail: Pouch Services
The branches and reps are advised that Royal Mail have written to the
union informing us of activity currently being scoped which is
designed to standardise the current bespoke pouch service on offer to
business customers. The object of the activity is to protect market
share and allow Royal Mail to compete more effectively in this
section of the mail market. The current bespoke service e.g.
Surepack, are not providing sufficient market penetration or
commercial return and the business risks losing some important
clients if it fails to respond with a competitive alternative.
Business and consumer markets (BCM) are sponsoring the activity.
Feedback from corporate clients has suggested that there is a market
opportunity to protect against loss of business to competitors and
provide the potential to attract new customers.
Service Delivery has been asked to scope and trial the operational
solution for these direct pouches, which would involve no operational
changes, apart from segregated handling. This will take place within
a dedicated work area or at a separate time to other traffic to
ensure that the service obligations are met and the pouches do not
become mixed with normal traffic.
The trial will involve initially a small number of high profile
customers and is due to commence on a phased basis from late March. A
list of the Mail Centres involved in the trial is reproduced below
and the activity they will be undertaking is also identified i.e.
Main Posting Sites, Return Posting Sites and Inward Only
Main posting sites
O/W & I/W
Mail Centres Approx. daily posted and received pouches Inward Mail
Centres only Approx. daily posted and received pouches Return posting
sites I/W & O/W Mail Centres Approx. daily
posted and
received pouches
Chelmsford
(Harlow) 10 Leicester 1 Hemel Hempstead 1
Peterborough
(Peterborough) 10 Norwich 1 Ipswich 1
Reading
(Basingstoke) 9 Sheffield 1 Cambridge 1
Bradford 8 Guildford 1
Newcastle 1
Bristol 2
Motherwell 1
Cardiff 2
Stockport 1
Coventry 2
Nottingham 1
London ECDO 2
Belfast 1
Edinburgh 4
Chester 1
I have written to Royal Mail, thanking them for providing me with
information on the new service in advance of the trial commencing and
for the opportunity to be involved from the outset in developing the
new service. In addition I have informed them that I will be
reporting the details of the trial to the Postal Executive and
advising our Branches/Representatives following our decision on our
support and involvement in the trial. The Postal Executive have now
endorsed the trial taking place and Royal Mail have now been advised
that the union are supporting this initiative. Further information
will be circulated to Branches in due course. In the meantime
Branches/Representatives in the trial areas should forward any
comments on the trial to CWU Headquarters.
All enquiries regarding this paragraph should be addressed to Martin
Collins, Assistant Secretary quoting reference number L.840.05.
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TELECOMS
182 Concert Update
The following letter was posted on the Union's website today and all
members in Concert have been advised of this:
"To: All CWU Members Employed by Concert
Dear Colleague
A number of members assigned to BT have asked why their employer from
01 April 2002 will be Communications Networking Services (UK) rather
than BT plc. BT has confirmed that for a variety of reasons,
including regulatory/licence matters, the assigned population cannot
move directly to BT at this stage. However, as a first step movement
into a wholly owned subsidiary of BT, Communications Networking
Services (UK) is necessary. Once these issues have been resolved, BT
intends there will be a migration over a period of time into the BT
plc Group.
The terms and conditions of employment in CNS will be exactly the
same as those that apply in the BT plc Group. As you know, this
includes the pay increase applied to all BT plc employees from 01
April 2002 together with the NewGRID terms and conditions of service,
including grading.
Nothing in this approach in any way impinges on your job security or
on any other contractual issue. The changes negotiated by the CWU on
any matters affecting employees employed directly by BT plc will also
apply to those employed by CNS.
BT has also confirmed that the assigned population will be eligible
to participate in the Share save arrangements from May 2002.
Invitations to participate will be issued in May.
I hope this removes any remaining concerns about the status CNS and
about your employment after 31st March 2002.
Yours sincerely,
W McClory, Assistant Secretary"
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183 e-peopleserve Pay Review
Senior e-peopleserve management have confirmed and given a commitment
to discuss a Pay Review with the Union for 2002. Branches are again
asked to assist with the formulation of supporting background
evidence to the performance of e-peopleserve. Unlike many other
companies that the Union negotiates with, e-peopleserve is not a
public quoted company and therefore little information is available
on its financial or operational performance. Branches are asked to
assist with the provision of information regarding the quality of
service levels that are being met, as well as information regarding
new business that has been won for one-off service deliveries. All of
the above information will assist the Executive in its discussions
with e-peopleserve.
Brian Healy Glynis Winestein
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary (Clerical)
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184 Core Network FVR
The Executive sought and received a presentation on the work being
undertaken so far on the Core Network Fault Volume Reduction programme.
The following is a brief summary of the background and the actions
taken so far and what else may be undertaken.
Prior to the initiative there had been a sharp rising trend in
alarm/faults, with a substantial volume in the SDH sector. All of the
activity at the time being reactively driven. Management on
investigation of the source of faults into Network Transport found
that in over 40% of cases, the resolution was outside Transport and
that in many cases generated more than one task in the field.
In trying to get out of the situation, management are attempting in
their words "to turn the tap off". This turning off the
volume is to be achieved by cutting back the request for quality
checks on equipment that had been checked a number of days/weeks
previously and a number of other repetitive tasks.
In addition, a wide range of initiatives are being carried out in two
key areas:
l ISDN: again the subject of frequent quality checks has arisen and
the number of faults not proved to the network but to the customer's equipment/network.
lLine Test Systems: the issue to be tackled in this area was the
degree of accuracy.
Other initiatives to be looked at are in Private Services and the
repeat report management for Private Services and PSTN which is high
and currently the target is 3 times in 60 days. In the Transmission
Network Fault Management it is to make greater use of the Woosh
Testing System. The policy is to move further towards pro-active
maintenance doing the TAROT system which monitors SDH and PDH
systems. This system is capable of picking up unusual rates of
occurrence of blips in signalling, which is often an early indication
of system failure.
The very last activity in this area is actions being taken to reduce
MDF Fault Reports. Work is underway to look at the worst 60
performing frames, the top ten worst frames will be replaced or
tidied up. Management will supply in due course the identification of
the 10 worst performing frames which will then be supplied to Branches.
Brian Healy, Assistant Secretary
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HEALTH & SAFETY
185 Inquest into the Death of CWU Member and BT
Engineer Tara Whelans.
Members will be aware of the fatal accident to Tara Whelan who was
injured when a lorry struck the Aerial Cable attached to a pole she
was working on last May. Tara suffered severe head injuries and died
a week later in hospital.
As a result of this tragic event an inquest was opened on 4th March
and this was adjourned on the 5th until sometime in May. This is due
to the Coroner ordering the Police to re-open the inquiry into her
death and reporting back to him by the end of April. As these
investigations are ongoing and therefore the inquest not completed,
the CWU are only able to provide the following information to date,
however, we will insist that all the lessons that come out of this
inquest are learned and action taken. A full report will be made to
Branches following the final inquest verdict as to what happened and
what action is to be taken.
The inquest was attended by CWU Health and Safety Officer, Steve
Mann, the T&FSE Health and Safety Committee Chair, Steve
Catterall along with the South West Engineering Branch Chair and
Branch Safety Officer.
At the inquest both the HSE and the Coroner made reference to
recommendations that may come out of the inquest, however these
recommendations cannot be implemented until the final verdict has
been announced. Tara's family and the CWU want to see any such
procedures and policies that come out of the findings enacted to
ensure that there are no more such incidents.
Meanwhile Branches are advised:
That members working on the overhead network should ensure that
before climbing or working off any BT or Joint User pole you should
as part of your individual risk assessment:
Measure the height of all BT overhead plant attached to the pole if
safe to do so;
Any enquiries should be addressed to Kevin Shaw, Assistant Secretary, quoting reference NS 30A
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EVENTS BULLETIN
Thursday 21st March 2002: National & International Policy
Committee meets at 10:00am, Room 3, CWU HQ, London.
Thursday 21st - Saturday 23rd March 2002: Welsh Labour Party
Conference at Aberconwy Centre, Llandodno, Wales.
Thursday 21st March 2002: Kendal Northern TUC Learning
Services Information, Advice & Guidance Conference to discuss the
union's role in getting adults the right information about learning
and work. Interested in attending then please contact your CWU branch
or contact Karen Couzens, Project Worker 01900 733 364 or 07904 103 028.
Friday 22 March 2002: Newcastle Northern TUC Year of Equality
2002. Launch 'All Different, All Equal', Speakers include Rt. Hon
Hilary Armstrong MP, Diana Holland, TGWU National Organiser, Women,
Race & Equalities; Wilf Sullivan, TUC Race Officer; and Stuart
Brown, FBU National Gay & Lesbian Committee Publication of a
regional TUC report 'Trade unions & Women' looking at the work
unions are doing to support women in workplaces across the North
East. Contact Paul Nowak 0191 232 3175, 0788 754 1461 or mlowden@tuc.org.uk .
Saturday 23rd March 2002: The London Southern and Eastern
Region TUC Public Services Conference. Building quality public
services for the future at Congress House, Great Russell Street,
London. Speakers invited will include: CWU General Secretary Billy
Hayes, Mark Sewotka General Secretary, PCS and Ken Livingstone, Mayor
of London amongst other guest speakers. There is no charge to for
attending this event and a limited number of creche places will be
available. If you wish to attend contact Laurie Heselden t 020 7467
1292/1220 or e lheselden@tuc.org.uk
TUC website
Tuesday 26th March 2002: ITF global action for rail safety.
Over 200,000 railway workers across the globe will unite later this
month to call for better working conditions and improved rail safety
standards. The third International Railway Workers' Action Day on
Tuesday 26 March 2002 will see railway workers from across 85 unions,
in 51 countries campaign in solidarity for "safety not
profit". The event, co-ordinated by the International Transport
Worker's Federation (ITF), 'has become a focal point for trade
unionists to think globally and act locally'. Contact (t) 020 7403
2733 or (e) mail@itf.org.uk
ITF news release and The 3rd International Railway Workers' Action
Day Campaign Handbook
Tuesday 26th March 2002: TUC Beat bullying at work seminar,
Glasgow. The latest in the regional series of seminars on bullying
will take place from 9.30am to 3pm in Glasgow. Registration costs
£11.75 for trade unions and £23.50 for others - you can
register at on the web, email Liz Wood or phone 020 7467 1250.
Thursday 28th March 2002: National Executive Council meets at
10:00am, Room 2-3.
Saturday 30th March 2002: Star Wars - What is it Good For?
March and rally organised by Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Assemble 12 noon in Hyde Park and march to rally in Trafalgar Square.
For more details contact the CND office on 020 7700 2393 or visit
their website http://www.cnduk.org
Wednesday 3rd April 2002: Telecoms & Financial Services
Executive meets at 10.00am, CWU HQ, Wimbledon, London, Rooms 1&2.
Wednesday 3rd April 2002: Postal Executive meets at 10.30am,
CWU HQ, Wimbledon, London, Room 3.
Thursday 4th April 2002: Postal Executive meets at 10.30am,
CWU HQ, Wimbledon, London, Room 3.
Saturday 6th April 2002: A Rally for a Sustainable Britain
organised by Socialist Environment and Resources Association to
explore how to make sustainability a reality in Britain in Labour's
second term. Workshop topics will include, transport, energy,
international trade and recycling. For more information and booking
forms Telephone: 020 7263 7389, Email: seraoffice@aol.com
website: http://www.serauk.org.uk
Friday 12 April 2002 - Sunday 14 April 2002: TUC Black
Workers' Conference. The Floral Hall, Southport Contact: Amanda
Griffiths, TUC Equal Rights Department Tel: 020 7467 1260/email: agriffiths@tuc.org.uk
If you are a member of the CWU and want to attend this event please
contact Alan Crisp, CWU Equality Department, Tel: 020 8971 7205,
Email: acrisp@cwu.org
Saturday 13th April 2002: A Labour Research Department
Conference Information and Consultation - new rights at Work at the
NAFTHE Conference Centre, Britannia Street, London, WC1, 10:30-16:30.
The LRD will present a report at this conference on the extent to
which employers currently inform and consult their employees.
Speakers include Sarah Veale TUC Senior Policy Officer on trade union
employment law and representatives from Germany and Spain. For more information
Telephone: 020 7928 3649, Email: info@Ird.org.uk
Thursday 18th April: CWU Mobile Organising Campaign and Forum
will commence at 11:00 am, Room 3, CWU Head Office, Wimbledon,
London. The main objective of this forum is to organise workers in
mobile phone companies: One2One, Orange, Virgin Mobile and Vodaphone
where the CWU have significant numbers of members. The forum will
share information about campaigns, plan an effective recruitment and
organising strategy to provide a focus for union activities, to
target industry wide mobile phone companies. For more information and
if you wish to attend please contact Trish Knight, e: tknight@cwu.org,
t:020 8971 7270.
Wednesday 24th April 2002: Employment agencies action. The
Simon Jones Memorial Campaign is calling a national day of action
'against profiteering employment agencies' on Wednesday 24 April
2002, the fourth anniversary of Simon's death. The campaign says: 'We
are asking supporters of our campaign across the country and
internationally to mark the anniversary of Simon's death by
demonstrating, in whatever way they see fit, at an employment agency
in their area that profits from the casualisation that killed Simon.
If you are interested in taking part in the day of action, email the
Simon Jones Memorial Campaign mailto:simonjonesaprilaction@hotmail.com>
Further information: Simon Jones Memorial Campaign
Saturday 27th April 2002: Anti Trade Union Laws. This is a
major trade union rally calling for a Charter of Workers (as endorsed
at the TUC last year) along with the usual 'battle-cry' for the
repeal of anti-trade union laws. This will take place at the Friends'
Meeting House, Euston, London. The General Secretary, Billy Hayes
will be one of the main speakers at this rally, together with Bob
Crow, Chair of United Campaign and John Hendy, Secretary. The aim is
to have at least 1,000 people at the rally. Information t: 020 7269
0365, e: hendyqc@oldsquarechambers.co.uk.
Sunday 28th April 2002: Workers' Memorial Day - Global: Unions
organise for Workers' Memorial Day. Unions worldwide are being urged
to start planning activities for Workers' Memorial Day. The annual 28
April event commemorates those who die as a result of workplace
accidents or occupational diseases, and highlights the need for
improved safety. Global union federation ICFTU says the international
launch will take place in ILO in Geneva 'where a major announcement
by the Director General is expected about making 28 April an official
ILO Day, within the UN system.' Earlier this year Taiwan became the
4th country to adopt its own official commemoration day, following
similar actions in previous years by Canada, Spain, and Thailand.
Information: ICFTU briefing http://www.icftu.org
Hazards workers memorial resources http://www.hazards.org/campaigns/index.htm,
Huck/Konopacki Workers Memorial Day graphics order your Workers'
Memorial Day 'forget-me-knot' ribbons. Single ribbons @ 25p plus p+p;
2-99 ribbons @ 25p each inclusive of p+p; 100+ @ 22p each inclusive
of p+p: Available from Greater Manchester Hazards Centre (gmhazards@hotmail.com).Tell
the Hazards Campaign what you are planning for Workers' Memorial Day
- the site will list activities as WMD draws closer
June 2002: National Childcare Month organised by the Daycare
Trust, Kids' Club Network, National Day Nurseries Association and
many more child friendly organisations. Throughout June there will be
national and local activities raising awareness of current childcare
issues. It is a great opportunity to promote childcare, involve local
organisations and promote families into activities. For more
information and to register now, email info@nationalchildcaremonth.com
the website http://www.nationalcaremonth.com
highlights activity dates and gives detailed information on how to
get active. National activities are being organised by the Department
for Education and Skills, t: 020 7273 6322, or contact National Day
Nurseries Association, t:01484 541 641, National Childminding Week,
t: 020 8464 6164, Play Week, t: 020 7833 0991, Kids' Clubs Week, t:
020 7512 2100.
Thursday 4 July 2002 - Friday 5 July 2002: TUC Lesbian and Gay
Conference. Congress Centre, Congress House, Great Russell Street,
London WC1B 3LS. Contact Debbie Cleary, TUC Equal Rights Department
(Tel: 020 7467 1290/email: dcleary@tuc.org.uk
) To attend you must contact your branch or the CWU Equality
Department, Al Crisp, Tel: 020 8971 7205, email: acrisp@ccwu.org
Monday 22nd July 2002: Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival. Tolpuddle,
Dorset.The annual celebration of trade unionism in memory of
Tolpuddle Martyrs. For more information contact Nigel Costley, Email: southwest@tuc.org
South West TUC tel: 0117 947 0521
If you have anything for the events bulletin page please send your
contribution to Alison Moise, CWU,Communication Department,150 The
Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 IRX, Tel: 020 8971 7267, Email: amoise@cwu.org
Details must arrive nine days before publication and must include a
contact phone number, brief summary of the event, email and website
address. Listings are free, but inclusion is not guaranteed.
*Copies of this attachment are available from your branch secretary.